All vital organs and systems of the baby are formed in the first trimester of pregnancy, but it is this period that is accompanied by toxicosis in almost every second expectant mother. Many consider morning sickness during pregnancy, vomiting and susceptibility to odors to be a normal condition, but this is actually a pathology.
The main causes of toxicosis
The exact causes of toxicosis in pregnant women have not been established by modern science, but there are several hypotheses. The most justified and popular in the medical community is neuro-reflex. According to this theory, an important role in the development of pathology is played by disturbances in the interaction of the central nervous system and internal organs of the expectant mother.
During the bearing of a child, many women become tearful, irritable and moody. This is due to the activation of subcortical brain structures that form protective reflexes. So nature naturally protects pregnancy. In the same brain structures, there is a vomiting center, olfactory zones and cells that “control” the salivary glands, heart, blood vessels, lungs and stomach. Therefore, attacks of toxicosis in the early stages may be preceded by deeper breathing and increased heart rate, salivation, pallor.
Another theory explaining the appearance of signs of toxicosis is immune. From the first days of fetal life, the embryo differs in antigenic composition from the mother's body. Because of this, a pregnant woman can begin to develop antibodies that provoke toxicosis. In addition, some doctors explain the unfavorable condition of the expectant mother in the early stages by significant hormonal changes. A new organ is formed in the body - the placenta, which produces hormones. This woman's internal organs and nervous system respond to symptoms of toxicity. A similar conclusion can be made on the basis of the fact that in some pregnant women the onset of toxicosis coincides in time with the peak of hCG content.
Some gynecologists and psychotherapists working with pregnant women are of the opinion that toxicosis in the early stages can be caused by negative emotions of the expectant mother, the process of awareness of her new condition, anxiety, fear of having a baby. For the same reason, it may develop a strong morning sickness in the third trimester. The role of self-hypnosis is also important, because almost all women who find out about their pregnancy involuntarily set themselves up for the fact that this condition in the overwhelming majority is accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
The cause of toxicosis in the early stages of pregnancy is the age of the future mother. After 30-35 years, pregnancy can be dangerous, especially if this is the first conception or in the past there have been numerous abortions. Toxicosis in women who become pregnant at a more advanced age can be more pronounced than in young mothers. Affects the condition and multiple pregnancy. With twins, toxicosis in the early stages appears much more often than with a singleton pregnancy.
Risk factors
It is safe to say that a healthy woman is less prone to symptoms of toxicosis than her expectant mother, who has chronic diseases, untreated infections and bad habits. More often, nausea and vomiting accompany the first trimester of bearing a child in women with diseases of the thyroid gland, gastrointestinal tract and liver, genitals. They are prone to toxicosis in pregnant women with frequent stresses, poor nutrition, an asthenic physique of the expectant mother, and the expectation of two or more babies.
Symptoms and Severity
The most common manifestation of toxicosis in early pregnancy is vomiting. Desires can occur with different frequencies, it depends on the severity of the woman's condition. In the mild case, vomiting occurs no more than five times a day, may be accompanied by prolonged and short-term nausea. Vomiting can be caused by eating, unpleasant odors, and often occurs on an empty stomach. At the same time, a woman does not lose weight or loses weight only slightly - by 1-3 kg or up to 5% of body weight. This condition is easily treatable.
In a more severe course, vomiting can occur 10-20 times a day, accompanied by increased salivation, weakness, apathy, and general deterioration of health. With frequent vomiting, dehydration occurs, blood pressure decreases, the pulse increases, the amount of urine decreases, the temperature may rise. Loss of body weight - up to 10% of the initial (8-10 kg). With such severe toxicosis in the early stages, the intake of beneficial substances to the fetus is disrupted.
Other signs of toxicosis include nausea, increased salivation. As a rule, symptoms are most pronounced in the morning. However, there may be evening and morning sickness during early pregnancy. Another unpleasant manifestation is skin rashes and itching, which can lead to a depressive state, sleep disturbances and increased irritability.
When will toxicosis end in the first trimester? As a rule, all the manifestations of toxicosis back down to 12 weeks of pregnancy. In some cases, nausea and vomiting may persist for a longer period or characterize the late gestation of the child, occurring repeatedly or for the first time in the third trimester.
Types of Toxicosis
Further separation by severity, toxemia of pregnancy may be of the following types:
- Staphylococcal. It is caused by enterotoxigenic strains that can release exotoxin into food products that does not break down during heat treatment.
- Evening. The body is exposed toxicosis after a busy day without receiving sufficient food. This condition interferes with relaxation, sleep and quietly gather strength.
- Toxicosis in the first trimester. When toxicosis begins, every woman knows. It often occurs during pregnancy (in 65% of cases), but is considered the norm, although in fact it is an adverse reaction of the body, a pathology. Doctors recommend simply surviving this period if the manifestations of toxicosis do not significantly harm the health of the woman. How to relieve toxicosis in the early stages? Recommendations will be given later.
- Late toxicosis. In the normal course of pregnancy, nausea and vomiting pass by the end of the first trimester and do not reoccur. But a complication called gestosis is possible. This increases the protein content in urine, blood pressure, weight gain. Severe toxicosis in the later stages seriously threatens the health of both the expectant mother and the child.
- Toxicosis before delay. Toxicosis due to pregnancy cannot begin immediately after conception. The condition of a woman worsens only 7-10 days after implantation of the fetal egg into the uterine cavity, and this occurs approximately 3-7 days after unprotected intercourse, which resulted in fertilization.
Duration of toxicosis
When does toxicosis begin? Doctors set the following time frame. Early toxicosis can begin in the first days of a delay in menstruation or at 5-6 weeks. The earliest time that symptoms may appear is one to two weeks after implantation of the fetal egg in the uterine cavity. It is important to know that between implantation and sexual intercourse, as a result of which fertilization occurred, one cannot equate. Between these events usually takes 3-7 days. Nausea and vomiting cease to bother the expectant mother by 13-14 weeks, and sometimes much earlier, as each case is individual.
Pathology Diagnostics
Even with minor manifestations of toxicosis, the doctor will send the expectant mother for tests. As a rule, you need to pass a urine test, biochemistry and complete blood count. This is necessary to determine the severity of the pathology and the appropriate treatment of toxicosis in the early stages. With frequent vomiting and unsatisfactory condition of a woman, observation in a hospital is generally indicated. Mild toxicosis, which is observed everywhere, can be treated at home under the supervision of a doctor. A doctor can sometimes make a diagnosis only on the basis of a patient’s survey.
Ways to treat toxicosis
How to relieve toxicosis in the early stages? There are many methods of treating an unpleasant condition, but not all of them are equally safe for a future mother and the normal course of pregnancy. Among the treatment methods, conservative, that is, medical treatment, immunocytotherapy, homeopathic remedies, aromatherapy, acupuncture, psychotherapy are used (helps if the pregnant woman’s nervous system reproduces the symptoms). The doctor will recommend the expectant mother to adhere to a special diet and change her lifestyle a bit to effectively deal with early toxicosis in the early stages. How to do this? Recommendations regarding the diet, as well as folk remedies and methods offered by traditional medicine, will be considered in more detail below.
Medications for nausea and vomiting
Most drugs are contraindicated in expectant mothers, but there are pills for toxicosis in the early stages of pregnancy. Harmless valerian, No-shpa and microelements are used. Appointment of a suitable vitamin-mineral complex sometimes helps to alleviate the condition. Therapy should be comprehensive, therefore, such drugs for toxicosis in the early stages are shown as “Cerucal”, “Enterosgel”, “Essential” and others. In some cases, the use of more serious drugs that potentially threaten pregnancy is necessary. If in the absence of therapy miscarriage can occur, then doctors prescribe such treatment.
Future mom's diet
How to deal with early toxicosis in the early stages? It is necessary to pay attention not only to the products that the expectant mother eats, but also to slightly review her eating habits. Nutrition for toxicosis in the early stages should be frequent, but in small portions. The menu needs to be varied. Too hot or cold food provokes vomiting, so meals should be eaten warm. Drink better tea with mint and mineral water.
If nausea and vomiting occur in the morning, it is recommended that you try to have breakfast without getting out of bed. It is enough to drink a cup of warm tea, eat a couple of crackers or crackers, some fruit, a few slices of lemon. Nausea in the afternoon, most likely to cause stress and fatigue. In this case, you can drink infusions of valerian and motherwort, soothing fees. With increased salivation, it is advisable to rinse your mouth with infusions of chamomile, sage, mint.
In the last trimester with toxicosis, you need to abandon marinades and smoked meats, pickles. But in the early stages, pickles and fish will even be useful, but only in moderation and not for women suffering from kidney diseases. In the later stages, you need to consume as little salt as possible, abandon herring and cucumbers. It is recommended to add dietary meat (boiled or steamed), cottage cheese, boiled fish to the diet.
At any time, nutrition should be balanced. Even with toxicosis, you can not completely give up food, this can even more harm the condition of both the pregnant woman herself and the harmonious development of the fetus. You need to eat a little and those products that do not cause rejection. Dietary meat (for example, boiled fillet, steamed chicken or beef), fresh vegetables and fruits is perfect.
Natural Remedies for Toxicosis
Here are some popular and very effective, as well as natural remedies that can be used to eliminate the symptoms of toxicosis:
- Ginger. Ginger tea sweetened with honey can be drunk throughout the day. Another recipe is to make a mixture of grated ginger, honey and lemon juice. To prevent nausea and vomiting, you need to use one teaspoon of the mixture at regular intervals.
- Mint tea. One tablespoon of dried mint leaves should be poured with a glass of boiling water, allowed to infuse for half an hour and drink. Feeling the approach of nausea, you can just chew a few leaves of fresh mint.
- Tea made from raspberry leaves. In the early stages, you can drink only one cup of such tea per day, in the third trimester - 4-5 cups.
- Fennel. After eating, you need to chew a teaspoon of fennel seeds to prevent nausea.
- Lemon. Sometimes just sniffing a cut lemon is enough to prevent an attack of vomiting. You can make lemonade, buy lemon candy, or just eat lemon slices.
- Caraway. Half a tablespoon of seeds should be added to a glass of warm water and drunk. This will help relieve symptoms of toxicosis during pregnancy. Another recipe: a tablespoon of seeds and a pinch of nutmeg, pour a liter of boiling water, let it brew for 5 minutes, strain the broth and drink if necessary.
- Cloves. Spice helps improve digestion, has antiseptic properties, and prevents nausea and vomiting. To obtain the effect, it is enough to chew two or three sticks of cloves after eating or make tea, pour 4 things with hot water and insist.
- Garnet. You can eat grains or make juice. A mixture of crushed pomegranate seeds and honey will help relieve nausea.
It is interesting that Coca-Cola is very effective against toxicosis. Excessive consumption of this drink is harmful, but a sip of Coca-Cola can relieve the expectant mother of nausea.
Aromatherapy at home
What helps with toxicosis in the early stages? Aromatherapy has a beneficial effect on the health status of a pregnant woman. With exacerbation of toxicosis, a few drops of peppermint essential oil or ginger will help. It is necessary to apply oil in the palms of your hands, rub it, bring it to the nose and inhale deeply several times. Vomiting well eliminates steam inhalation. It is used in the treatment of toxicosis in early pregnancy and herbal medicine.
Crane Exercise for Nausea
This exercise from Chinese medicine helps to cope with bouts of nausea and vomiting, digestive upsets. In a standing position, sitting or lying on your back, you need to actively rub your palms against each other in order to charge them with energy. Then put the palms on the lower half of the abdomen on either side of the navel, close the mouth and take a deep breath through the nose. You need to exhale slowly, as if raising your stomach with your hands. Further it is necessary to inhale as slowly, but now protruding belly. The exercise must be repeated 2-3 times, and over time, you can increase the number of repetitions up to 12 times.
Motion sickness
Some pregnant women do not have symptoms of toxicosis at the usual time, but they begin to manifest in transport. To avoid nausea and vomiting, you need to travel only in the front seat (in front of the bus), it is advisable to look at the road through the windshield. Nausea will increase if you lean back, look through the side windows or back. Half an hour or an hour before the trip, it is advisable to dissolve three to five tablets of the homeopathic medicine “Avia-Sea”. This tool helps with motion sickness, can be used during pregnancy.
In-patient observation
If the doctor detects adverse changes in the tests, and the woman's well-being will deteriorate, hospitalization may be recommended. This will allow doctors to monitor the health of the future mother and child. Doctors will carry out the restoration of the lost fluid, salts and proteins, a woman will be given a dropper so that all the necessary substances enter directly into the blood. To suppress nausea and vomiting, special means are used that block the vomiting reflex. Also, the woman will be prescribed sedatives, and with increased salivation, medications that suppress the activity of the salivary glands. Methods of non-drug exposure, namely phyto- and aromatherapy, psychotherapy, acupuncture, will help reduce the number of drugs. As soon as the pulse, blood pressure, the amount of urine, temperature, and nausea and vomiting do not manifest so much, the pregnant woman will be able to return to her home environment.
Boy or girl?
By the deterioration of their health, many women try to determine the onset of pregnancy, but nausea and vomiting are not always indicative of an interesting situation, and sometimes the expectant mother may not feel these unpleasant symptoms at all throughout the term. What is already there, in their condition, some even try to find out the gender of the unborn child. Who will be born if a woman is experiencing strong toxicosis in early pregnancy? Boy or girl? Very many future moms and held believe that it is a harbinger girl birth, while others argue that in this case, most likely, a woman wears a successor heart.
Scientists claim that there is no connection between the sex of the unborn child and the severity of the manifestations of toxicosis. A study was conducted in which experts monitored 4 thousand expectant mothers suffering from bouts of vomiting and nausea. In due time, 44% gave birth to boys, 56% - girls, that is, almost in half. So toxicosis and the sex of the unborn baby are in no way interconnected. Of course, it is interesting to know who will be born, but the main thing is that the child is conceived, healthy, grows and develops on time.
No toxicosis
Expectant mothers are so accustomed to the statement that toxicosis is an absolutely normal state of a pregnant woman, that its absence makes one think about the health of the fetus. In fact, such suspicions are completely unfounded. If the expectant mother is healthy, then there may not be any manifestations of toxicosis, and this is completely normal. A similar situation confirms that the body has rebuilt to a new mode, copes with the load and adapted to its condition. The absence of toxicosis ensures that the fetus has all the necessary substances for full development and allows the expectant mother to truly enjoy her special condition.